Nick stumbled, feeling his ankle giving out on him slowly. There was no point, no hope. The Hunter already had Vida and Xander, why not just give up?
"Wait wait! Stop a second!" He slouched down, closing his eyes. Chip was already scanning the area, and he could feel Madison leaning down next to him, concerned.
"Nick we can't stop!" she cried, and Nick could hear the pain in her voice from losing Vida.
"I'm-" he swallowed, "I'm going to surrender." Madison jerked, and Chip whipped his head around to stare at him.
"What?"
"You can't! We're a team!"
"It's me they're after." he winced, feeling more and more like dirt. He was the Light? He couldn't even save his own teammates! "If I give up it'll save Xander and Vida." He let out a quick grunt of pain as he gazed up at Chip. They had to know this was the only choice.
"If it's you they're after, then it's you we have to protect!" Chip replied heatedly, staring Nick down through their visors. Nick felt a slight sense of hope at Chip's determination. Neither noticed or heard the deep voice a short distance away.
Madison did.
"Gotcha!"
"WATCH OUT!" Nick jerked back as Maddie shoved him out of the way, pushing her body in front of his….
And taking the hit meant for him.
Time slowed as the bolt hit her in a burst of sparks.
"MADDIE!" Nick screamed, heart in his throat. She reached for him as she fell, evaporating in a burst of red sparks as she hit the ground.
"Oh no!" Chip cried.
Oh no? Oh no?! Madison was gone. Maddie was gone, she was right here, now she was gone. Nick felt tears spring to his eyes as Chip quickly dragged him away from the site. Nick was numb, absolutely numb. It was hopeless. Maddie was gone. Maddie had sacrificed herself for him. He should've seen the Hunter, he should've protected her, he should've taken the hit, he should've seen it. He was the Light? He couldn't even save…
He couldn't even save Maddie.